Chef-owner Jordan Rubin of Mr. Tuna has announced an exciting pop-up dinner series titled “Tuna & Friends,” featuring esteemed guest chefs from across the United States and Canada. The series will take place at his Portland, Maine restaurant from January to June 2026, encompassing a total of eleven events.
The series aims to highlight sustainable seafood sourced from the region while offering diners a unique culinary experience. Each guest chef will create a special à la carte menu that blends traditional New England flavors with their own culinary influences. This initiative not only showcases the chefs’ talents but also provides them with an opportunity to engage with Maine’s vibrant seafood community.
Tuna & Friends is designed to immerse visiting chefs in the local seafood landscape. According to Rubin, the series is about fostering collaboration: “Tuna & Friends is about putting chefs shoulder-to-shoulder with the people and places that shape New England seafood — then bringing that energy straight to the plate.” He emphasized that the experience includes tours of the working waterfront and visits to local partners such as Bangs Island Mussels, Upstream Portland, ISF Trading, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
Series Kickoff and Reservations
The series will kick off on January 6, 2026, featuring guest chef Ben Sukle from Oberlin and Gift Horse restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island. The dinners will be held from 17:00 to 21:00 each night, with reservations available through OpenTable. While reservations are encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome.
The full lineup of guest chefs and their respective dates will be shared on the Mr. Tuna Instagram page, allowing seafood enthusiasts and culinary adventurers to plan their visits accordingly.
This new venture adds a layer of excitement for both locals and visitors to Portland, as it celebrates the rich culinary heritage of New England while supporting sustainable practices in the seafood industry. With its focus on collaboration and community, Tuna & Friends promises to be a noteworthy highlight in Portland’s dining scene throughout the first half of 2026.
